Pipe wrench



Jul 25, 1939.

J BEST PIPE WRENCH Filed Sept. 14, 1957 Patented July 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a pipe wrench, and an object of the invention is to provide a construction embodying a fixed jaw and a movable jaw wherein the movable jaw is self-adjusting to provide for application to pipes of different diameters.

It is also an object to provide a movable jaw which may be reversed to oppose either side of the fixed jaw and thus be applicable to the turning of the pipe in either direction.

It is also an object to provide the movable jaw with a stem slidable within a bearing, which bearing is rotatable to provide for the adjustment of the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw, the fixed jaw having like sides to engage the work.

It is also an object to provide a very rigid device for the purpose which is of simple construction and may be cheaply manufactured, and to provide certain other new and useful features in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device illustrative of an embodiment of the present invention, and

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation with parts broken away and in section to more clearly disclose the construction.

As shown in the accompanying drawing, I indicates a suitable handle bar integral with one end of which is a head 2, which head is of U-shape, providing parallel spaced apart arms 3, the ends of which arms are formed with fixed jaws 4, the side edges of which jaws are inclined toward each other and toward the free ends of the jaws, said side edges being also formed, each with a series of teeth 5, which teeth are inclined toward the free end of each jaw as at 6 and have straight sides 1.

Between the fixed jaws 4 and within the slot between the arms 3, is a movable jaw indicated as a whole by the numeral 8, the head portion of this jaw being of semi-circular form with the inner edge of the jaw formed with a series of teeth 9, which teeth are inclined as at Ill toward the base of the jaw so that these teeth when in opposed relation to the teeth 5 on either side of the fixed jaws 4, will be inclined in a direction opposite to that of the inclination of the teeth 5.

The movable jaw 8 is formed with a cylindrical stem ll integral with the base or inner end of the movable jaw, and this stem II is slidable within a transverse opening 12 in a pivot pin in the arms 3 of the fixed jaws, said pin extending across the space between said arms. The end of the stem H is screwthreaded and provided with a nut M to prevent the complete withdrawal of the stem from engagement with the pin 13, which pin is held against withdrawal from engagement with the arms !3 by said stem extending through its bearing opening l2 in the pin I3.

The work or pipe to which the wrench is applied, is' indicated in dot and dash lines at l5 and the wrench is applied to this pipe by swinging the movable jaw 8 outwardly from between the fixed jaws 5, so that the pipe may be entered between the fixed and movable jaws through the open side of the semi-circular movable jaw. When so applied, the work is positioned between the teeth 9 of the movable jaw 8 and the teeth 5 on one side of the fixed jaws and therefore upon swinging movement of the handle bar l, the work will be firmly gripped between these toothed surfaces and by reason of such engagement, the movable jaw will automatically adjust itself to the work, the movable jaw sliding between the fixed jaws 4, its stem II sliding within the bearing [2 in the pin 13. The work is firmly gripped between the fixed and movable jaws because of the location of the pivotal support for the movable jaw, midway between the point of contact of the movable jaw with the work and the handle I.

With the parts in the position shown in Figure 1, the pipe or work IE will be forced to rotate by a swinging movement of the handle I in the direction of the arrow, but if it is found desirable to rotate the pipe in an opposite direction, it will only be necessary to swing the movable jaw outwardly, then rotate it upon its stem l l and swing it through the space between the arms 3 and fixed jaws 4 to a position in opposed relation to the opposite inclined and toothed side of the fixed jaws. This arrangement facilitates the application of the wrench to turn the work in either direction and the movable jaw, by reason of its stem ll being pivotally supported by the pin [3, will automatically adjust itself to the work when power is applied by means of the handle I.

Obviously changes may be made in the specific construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention and I do not, therefore, wish to limit myself to the par ticular form or, construction shown.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A device for the purpose described including a handle bar formed at one end with a bifurcated fixed jaw, each arm of said jaw having toothed sides which are inclined toward each other and toward the free end of the jaw, a movable jaw of semi-circular form having teeth on its inner edge and provided with an integral stem, and a pivot member for pivotally supporting said movable aw for swinging movement between the two arms of said bifurcation, said pivot member being mounted upon said fixed jaw and provided with a transverse opening within which said stem of said movable jaw is slidable as pressure is applied to said handle bar and within which opening said stem is also rotatable.

2. A wrench including a handle bar formed at one end with an integral head provided with parallel arms spaced apart and formed with end portions providing fixed heads, said heads having oppositely inclined side edges with said edges converging'toward the free ends of the heads and each provided with teeth, a pivotally movable jaw adapted to be received between said arms of said fixed jaw, said movable jaw being of semi-circular form and provided with teeth upon its inner periphery, said movable jaw being also formed with an integral stem, a pin'for providing said pivotal movement of said movable jaw mounted within openings in the arms of the fixed jaw and extending transversely of the space between said arms and formed with a transverse opening to receive said stem and within which said stem is longitudinally movable as pressure is applied to said handle bar and rotative, where-- by said movable jaw is automatically adjustable to the work piece and may be swung between said arms of said fixed head and may be rotated to face in either direction toward said fixed head.

' JOHN BEST. 

